Key Facts
- Per Capita Real GDP
- $40,210 Rank: 14/50 (2007)
- Population
- 2,600,170 Rank: 35/50 (2008)
- Per Capita Personal Income
- $37,089 Rank: 17/50 (2006)
- Unemployment Rate
- 5.50% Rank: 39/50 (2008)
- Business Tax Climate Index
- Rank: 3/50 (2008)
State Map
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Nevada: Introduction
Nevada is situated in the Southwest United States roughly between the Rocky Mountains to the east and Sierra Nevada mountain range to the west. Most of the state is covered by an especially dry region known as the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert is located in the south. This combination makes Nevada one of the driest states in the union, with most of its land receiving less than 10 inches of precipitation per year. These arid conditions made Nevada a prime testing ground for nuclear weapons which took place during the cold-war era. This is in stark contrast the glitz and glamour of the famous hotels and casinos in Las Vegas that now attract tourists from all over the world.
Though now strongly associated with the gambling industry, Nevada’s economy had its roots in mining. The discovery of vast silver and gold deposits helped fuel the mining industry and inspired Nevada’s official nickname, “The Silver State”. Gambling and tourism now dominate the state economy, thanks in great part to the legalization of gambling across the state and the proliferation of Las Vegas as a world-renowned hub of entertainment. Other major industries in Nevada include real estate, construction and financial services.
